YemenOnline- August 8,2008- Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad arrived in Sana'a Friday for talks with Yemeni officials on efforts to hold reconciliation talks between the rival Palestinian movements of Fatah and Hamas, Yemen's officials Saba news agency reported.

The agency said Fayyad would discuss with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and other senior officials 'thoughts for implementing the Yemeni initiative that is intended to patch up the inter- Palestinian rift.'

The two Palestinian groups have been locked in a bitter dispute since Hamas gunmen routed forces loyal to Fatah seized security control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007.

Yemen managed to bring together negotiators from both sides last March for talks on a Yemeni plan to end their dispute.

Fatah and Hamas accepted the Yemeni initiative, but disagreed later over the interpretation of the agreement.

The seven-clause plan calls on Hamas to end its Gaza takeover, rebuild the security apparatuses and schedule early presidential and legislative elections.

Fatah wants an immediate implementation of the initiative, while Hamas movement insists that the plan only serve as the basis for talks to resolve issues.

Fayyad was appointed as acting prime minister by the US-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after Hamas took over the Gaza Strip.

Source: M&G